From The Pastor’s Desk: “SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT”

If we want to feel good, we must be selective in regards to what we think because our thoughts are triggers to how we feel.  For instance, if our thoughts are bad, then we will feel bad; however, if our thoughts are good, then we will feel good.  In Philippians 4:8, Paul commands believers to think positively.  He said that we should think about things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. Philippians 4:8 is very meaningful and applicable for me because I am learning how to manage my emotions by thinking positively.  We cannot live joyfully if we spend too much time entertaining thoughts that cause us to feel bad, sorrow, or pain.  To live joyfully, we must engage in positive thinking that causes us to feel good and happy.

Whether we believe it or not, we have the power to choose what we think about.  Unfortunately, bad thoughts will often cross our minds, but we do not have to entertain them.  When bad thoughts cross our minds, we must instantly dismiss them or else we will begin to feel them.  We can instantly dismiss them by instantly thinking about whatever is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.

Since we have the power to choose what we think about, we must take responsibility to a great extent for how we feel.  If we want to feel better, we must think better.  If we want to feel good, we must think good.  If we want to feel happy, we must think happy.  This reminds me of the words of Paul to Agrippa on another occasion when he said:  “I think myself happy” (Acts 26:2).

My beloved, life is fleeting; therefore, we should live and enjoy each day as though it is our last day.  This is feasible if we have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ and if we manage our emotions by thinking positively.  Philippians 4:8 can be helpful to all believers when applied because we learn “Some Things To Think About” which consequently will cause us to live and feel better.

We need to close our year better than what we are averaging.  From now to the end of the year, each of us is needed to give generously in our Tithes and Offerings because we are on course currently to fall far from our yearly average.  Let’s demonstrate our love for God and St. John (at least for the remainder of this year) by being generous with your Tithes and Offerings.  Moreover, if you desire to reap a harvest, allow God to lead you to sow a special Seed Offering.  Giving is God’s way for us to receive more, for He promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings leaving us with no room to store them (Mal 3:10).  We currently give in person during Sunday Morning Worship Celebrations, by mailing or dropping off our Tithes and Offerings at our Administration Building or South Campus, or by giving online through our website (sjmbc.org).

For 34 years, I have taught, as a Pastor, ways for a church to grow in person, but a new way to grow is now necessary due to the existing pandemic.  In order to be safe, St. John is currently utilizing 30-40% of our seating capacity (social distancing) in the sanctuaries of our North Campus and South Campus. Consequently, we are now seeking ways to build our Virtual Audience through live streaming (YouTube and Facebook/Meta) and podcasts.  I encourage everyone to subscribe to our YouTube platform and encourage others (St. John parishioners and friends) to subscribe also. The larger our YouTube subscription the greater benefits we can receive.

We currently have two Worship Celebrations (each is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes) every Sunday:  9 a.m. at the North Campus and 11 a.m. at the South Campus.  We encourage everyone to arrive at least 10 minutes beforehand to be seated safely and comfortably.  Temperatures are checked, hand sanitizing is urged, social distancing is applied regarding where people shall sit and walk, wearing a mask is still mandatory (even though exceptions are now made in our county which began November 1st), utilization of restrooms is restricted to 2-4 people at a time (depending on the size of the restroom), and congregating before and after Services is prohibited.

In order for believers to live and feel better, we must engage in positive thinking.  In Philippians 4:8, we learn that our thoughts should be true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report.  These are “Some Things To Think About.”May God bless and sustain each of us.

Your Servant In Christ,

 

Dr. Kevin B. Hall, Pastor